https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 03 May 2026 08:45:39 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up/page/2#post-1425839 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 18:21:06 +0000 Suz 1425839@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here's a link to one of the articles about this in the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/missing-the-mark-5-reasons-why-target-failed-in-canad/article22459819/">Globe &amp; Mail.</a> It makes for interesting reading and there's more in depth analysis about other aspects on the site.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up/page/2#post-1425825 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 17:44:50 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1425825@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>JillG, thanks for the info; I didn't know that. I had heard that the Nordstrom family was still involved in the management, so I just assumed they were still private. Interesting. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up/page/2#post-1425809 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 17:10:28 +0000 JillG 1425809@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Laura, Nordstrom is publicly traded, symbol JWN. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up/page/2#post-1425805 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 17:02:56 +0000 Marilyn 1425805@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>They're really get bashed for being arrogant and not understanding the Canadian market.</p> <p>I've never been in a US Target so I can't compare.&nbsp; Maybe that's why I liked it. I took it for what it was and had no expectations.&nbsp; Canadians who had shopped in the US were expecting the same products and prices and Target could not deliver.&nbsp; Honestly, I don't understand why a retail giant like Target was plagued by supply chain and inventory issues.&nbsp; Seems they failed to do their homework before jumping in.</p> <p>I've been following the business reports/commentary and it's certainly interesting from that perspective. This giant fell hard.</p> <p>We also enjoyed being able to grab Starbucks after a shop but we have many Starbucks in our area so it's not like we're without now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425692 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 13:42:56 +0000 Helena 1425692@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Deborah, it's been her for only two years! The competitive landscape in Canada is slim to say the least ... there isn't a ton of choice and really nothing similar to a Target at all. But, they opened 133 stores virtually at once, had no functioning website ... they really botched it, in all fairness. One comment that's been made is that it is strange that they are leaving altogether, rather than scaling down ... there really is a hole in the Canadian market that they are perfect for; they just bit off more than they could chew, I think.</p> <p>Glad to hear they've done a better job in Australia!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425658 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 12:43:32 +0000 Deborah 1425658@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is so interesting. &nbsp;Like in the US, Target Australia is fantastic. &nbsp;Great stock, and a good range of stock, reasonable quality and reasonable prices. &nbsp;<br />How long has Target been in Canada? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425633 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 11:50:22 +0000 Style Fan 1425633@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I never went into Target in Canada.&nbsp; And now I find out there is a Starbucks in Target from lindalu.&nbsp; A Starbucks in Northern Ontario!&nbsp; I would have gone to the Target for the Starbucks.&nbsp; I avoid Walmart.&nbsp; They have a MacDonalds.&nbsp; Now I am upset. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425486 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 02:12:01 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1425486@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nordstrom is still privately owned, though, right? So they don't have to play to the stock market as much as a public company does, and can make more long term strategic decisions. At least that's what I hope they'll do... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425457 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 01:34:53 +0000 Sheila 1425457@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was surprised and not surprised. There is never anyone in there. I find they have alot of stock and just empty aisles.</p> <p>I purchased a winter coat there for my daughter this year and she picked up a few back to school items. </p> <p>Feel bad for the people though... that is alot of jobs gone. Sad. </p> <p>Also surprised they went into the market the way they did. WHY did they not try 20 stores and try to find a winning formula rather than what they did ? It was just crazy. </p> <p>They were certainly not cost competitive in my mind either. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425433 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 00:56:58 +0000 lindalu 1425433@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This Canadian is sad too about Target closing.&nbsp; I really enjoyed shopping there for seasonal stuff, Sonia Kashuk makeup, cute handbags and sunglasses.&nbsp; I also enjoyed grabbing a Starbuck's coffee on the way out... every Northern Ontario town has Timmie's, but no Starbucks!&nbsp; As for the Bay, I shop there online and my experiences have been great!&nbsp; In store is another story... I can never find anything! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425379 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 00:06:16 +0000 Thistle 1425379@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting.&nbsp; </p> <p>I really like Target here in the US. Great selection, nice atmosphere in the stores, etc.&nbsp; But, you already heard that. Sounds like Target was having logistical troubles.</p> <p>I don't like WalMart and have been there once in the past year only because they had a Dora toddler bed in pink and blue, and pink and blue was a WalMart exclusive *sigh*</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425376 Fri, 16 Jan 2015 00:00:32 +0000 missvee 1425376@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I figured it was a goner when we went over to the food section and all of the cooler lights were on sensors - they came on when you got within a few feet and then turned off as you moved away. Huh? Who sets up a store like that?<br /> HBC must be rubbing its hands that they offloaded all those leases when they did.<br /> I'm wondering if Nordstrom's is a bit nervous now - their big plus is the excellent online ordering and return program, and so far I see no sign of that in Canada. And I doubt they want to set up secondary warehouses here. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425340 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 22:42:45 +0000 Helena 1425340@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Marilyn, other the the stock, I did love our store too (the Aurora one) - the staff was terrific and it was a very nice store. I had a good routine down where I did all my pantry shopping there, as they had products I really like. The stock issue was very annoying but it didn't stop me! (just look at my WIWs for proof that I enjoyed a good Target shop!! ;)</p> <p>I am going to go tomorrow and see what state our store is in ... there is a Beaver Canoe side table I wanted to pick up; best not wait any longer!!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425321 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 22:06:04 +0000 Marilyn 1425321@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I guess I'm in the minority but I'm bummed.&nbsp; I'm two minutes from a Target and it's become our go to place for many basics.&nbsp; We've never had an issue with stock and prices seemed good to us.&nbsp; And it's a lovely, spacious store.&nbsp; Maybe some locations are better than others because I've heard the stories.</p> <p>I think they came in too fast......133 stores.&nbsp; Why not do it like J Crew with a store here and there and go from that.</p> <p>I was looking at a photo slideshow of Target Canada's short history......the liquidation signs are already up.&nbsp; The Toronto Star is reporting that some stores are already half empty. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425246 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 20:22:18 +0000 rachylou 1425246@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The whole thing is bizarre. Like New Coke. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425216 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 19:40:15 +0000 Gaylene 1425216@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>From a marketing/retailing case perspective, the Hudson Bay saga is quite fascinating. From what I've understood, the strategy was to first improve the level of the merchandise, then to keep stores stocked, and then to compete aggressively on price and to offer an improved on-line experience. Re-vamping stores and re-training staff was put lower on the list. </p> <p>It's not easy to turn around a vast retail enterprise in a huge country with the population collected into small, localized pockets The biggest advantage for the Bay is that the company is backed by prime real estate holdings in all the population centers. I do hope that their strategy works because the loss of the Bay would be devastating for the consumer market in Canada. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425212 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 19:29:23 +0000 Anonymous 1425212@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I liked Target. &nbsp;It was my favorite go-to store for most things ... that is until they proved to be irresponsible with my private data. &nbsp;I had to cancel my credit card at Christmas time. &nbsp;It was two weeks before I got a new card re-issued at Christmas time. &nbsp;They can kiss my ass. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425204 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 19:18:02 +0000 jackiec 1425204@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I heard this on the news this AM too, and am not too disappointed either. I only went into Target twice the entire time it was here. The first time it looked no different from Zellers, worse even. The second time was before Christmas and I was pleasantly surprised. They were open super early (my kind of shopping ) and I got tons of stocking stuffer shopping done in a record amount of time. Other than that, definitely not the same experience as U.S. Target, that's for sure. I suppose it'll be good for Superstore, that's my main go to for the cheaper stuff. I don't have a WalMart close by so don't tend to go there.</p> <p>On another note, I am a little worried about the Nordstrom coming to town in the fall. I wonder if it'll be the same experience as in the US. So often when US chains come to Canada it's just not the same. Crossing my fingers. Anything's better than The Bay's terrible service.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425200 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 19:11:25 +0000 Transcona Shannon 1425200@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Totally agree with Lisa. I was extremely disappointed the few times I went into our local Target store - I think Canadians as a whole thought we were going to get the exact same Target as in the U.S. and that's not how it turned out.</p> <p>It is a shame that we lost the Zellers stores (which I much preferred to Target) to a company that I suspect didn't do their home work about entering the Canadian market.</p> <p>And yeah - what are we going to do with all those empty spaces? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425193 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 19:03:49 +0000 Jennifer 1425193@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>But here's the thing, Angie....we don't. &nbsp;We have Wal-Mart, and we have a Canadian store called Canadian Tire. &nbsp;Neither really fills the same niche as Target, and I have to say that at least in my part of the country,&nbsp;there is a lot of popular sentiment against Wal-Mart for various reasons.&nbsp;<br />I know lots of people who specifically include Target in their cross-border shopping trips, because we just don't have the equivalent here. &nbsp;But there is only so much cross-border shopping you can do, and we can't order online from Target either.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425183 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 18:50:01 +0000 Angie 1425183@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fascinating. Target in the US is an extremely well oiled machine, and very well stocked. People here LOVE Target.&nbsp;Sounds like you didn't get the US Target experience in Canada, though. I don't know if that's a shame if you have great alternatives.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425182 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 18:48:59 +0000 Jennifer 1425182@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz - Oh, TELL me about the Bay. &nbsp;What a disaster that is. &nbsp;I can never find anyone to help me there, and even in the downtown Vancouver location, the premises just look so sad. &nbsp;These days I just avoid it completely, apart from the occasional browse through Topshop and the shoe department. &nbsp;Nordie's is coming this fall and I think the downtown Bay is about to be hit hard.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425175 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 18:41:46 +0000 Suz 1425175@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I only ever went to our Target once. Once was too often. It was TERRIBLE. Empty shelves, NONE of the great stuff I have seen our US and Oz friends picking up, and a horrible atmosphere. My daughter took one look at me and said, "Mom, what is wrong with this place? What could anyone buy here?"&nbsp;</p> <p>I mean...our local Bay is also a disaster, with almost no selection or sizes (and hardly any staff) -- but this was about 10 times worse.&nbsp;</p> <p>There was such a big build up before they opened up here...and then, nothing. This did not endear them to me.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425169 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 18:32:36 +0000 Helena 1425169@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>lisap, I just talked to my mom, and she made the comment that business school students will forevermore be reading the case study of Target in Canada ... </p> <p>Laura, I am so with you - I love Target ... in the States ... the Canadian version just didn't measure up though. What they had was fine, but they were rarely fully stocked. Few of the designer collaborations made it to the stores here. They also had no online functionality for Canadians, and we can't order from their main site either. My experience will the customer service was excellent though.&nbsp;I will definitely miss my fun purchases there! But at the end of the day, unfortunately I have to agree that they are reaping what they sowed ... it's going to cost them $600 million to exit, they are saying ... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425168 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 18:32:23 +0000 Jules 1425168@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yeah, my least favourite thing about this is that it's a boost to Walmart. I think I only went to Target 2-3 times, I was disappointed with the lack of housewares which is where I think they could have shined - Walmart doesn't keep up with trends, Superstore doesn't really carry the whole range of product, Sears was overpriced for the quality&nbsp;and are gone now anyway... I think there was a niche to fill there, like a more local/accessible IKEA,&nbsp;but the stock just wasn't available when I went. As far as basics,&nbsp;they only had polyester sleepwear for my kids, in&nbsp;summer, so that was useless. Combined with the lack of updates to the old Zeller's location it was just really sad and disappointing. Then you get the backlash effect.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425163 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 18:28:48 +0000 Anonymous 1425163@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There's a ton of information on the inventory issues, distribution and stocking problems, and pricing errors - all in various business articles on the web. &nbsp;If you're really interested, the Globe's website is a good resource. It's a highly fascinating business case study, and I wish I were back in an MBA level class right now talking about it.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425147 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 18:17:36 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1425147@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, all of your comments are so interesting. I wonder why they had so much trouble with inventory. Target has become such a go-to for me - nicer than Walmart, better service than most of the discount stores, convenient website, apps, etc. - that it's hard to imagine my life without it. Too bad that they did such a bad job in Canada. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425141 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 18:14:55 +0000 Jennifer 1425141@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have to agree with lisap and Gaylene. &nbsp;Target made a huge number of errors with their Canadian stores right from the outset, and never corrected them. &nbsp;People had high expectations and they were never met because Target just didn't bring in the merchandise that they have in their US stores. &nbsp;To my mind, Target in Canada was just Zellers, but an inferior Zellers. &nbsp;I'm not in the least surprised that they have gone bankrupt. &nbsp;Their approach was all wrong.<br />lisap - I could totally do without Walmart too.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425099 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 17:36:24 +0000 Gaylene 1425099@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, I don't think Target's disappearance will affect most Canadians' shopping habits since the shelves were half empty most of the time and the cash registers never had a lineup. The staff were friendly but the merchandise just wasn't there, and what there was wasn't priced any differently than at competing retailers. To be honest, if I needed a Target-type product, I usually went to a Canadian store like Superstore or Canadian Tire/Mark's--or, less often, ventured into a Walmart. </p> <p>I suspect the biggest effect will be on other US retailers who have been considering an expansion into Canada. Canada IS a foreign country as retailers like J Crew, Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, Marks and Spencer, and Zappos have found out when they made the push to expand into the Great White North. Having a recognizable name in another country doesn't automatically guarantee success. I think Nordstrom is smart to be cautious. I wonder how the downturn in oil prices is going to affect their Calgary store--and plans for upcoming stores... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/nooo-target-and-canada-break-up#post-1425075 Thu, 15 Jan 2015 17:08:39 +0000 trekkiegirl 1425075@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh wow, I would be devastated. Target is one of my favorite stores for pretty much everything! </p>